Toddlers’ stress during transition to childcare.

The study investigates how the transition from home to kindergarten can affect stress levels, as measured by the hormone cortisol, in toddlers. The purpose of the study is to better facilitate the needs of toddlers during the transition to kindergarten by identifying challenging phases in the transition, and which groups of children may face greater challenges.

The research questions are:

1) How do cortisol levels change throughout the day (morning, afternoon and evening) and during different phases of the transition (together with parents, separated from parents, and after four to six weeks in kindergarten)?

2) How are gender, age at start of kindergarten, number of siblings and group size related to cortisol levels during the transition?

The children's stress levels, measured by the hormone cortisol, were highest when they started kindergarten, especially during the first days without parents. This stress subsided a little at home in the evening. The youngest children, under 14 months, showed higher stress levels even after four to six weeks in kindergarten. This may mean that the youngest children need more time to get used to kindergarten.

The study is part of the Norwegian Thrive by Three project, which investigates kindergarten provision for the youngest children. The researchers investigated the cortisol levels of 119 toddlers during the transition to kindergarten. Saliva samples were collected from the children during their first weeks in kindergarten. The sampling took place over six days in three phases: two days with parents, two days without parents, and two consecutive days after four to six weeks in kindergarten. Parents responded to an electronic questionnaire about background information, while kindergarten staff provided information about the number of children in the groups.

Nystad, K., Drugli, M. B., Lydersen, S., Lekhal, R. & Buøen, E. S. (2021). "Toddlers’ stress during transition to childcare". European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 29(2):157-182.